Boston College Football 2014: Bryce Jones, CB

Getting playing time is one thing, but making an appearance in every game of your true freshman season is another. Bryce Jones knows what that’s like.

Jones was a heralded recruit and a multi-sport athlete who got noticed by Boston College several years ago. Truth be told, he was hard to miss: Bryce Jones was a team and conference Most Valuable Player in northeastern Ohio, helping his team win the whole thing as a senior. Jones, playing quarterback and defensive back, had an impact on both sides of the football.

When he came to Boston College, though, all involved knew that he would have just one role, and that would be on the defense. Jones was baptized by fire, playing in his first game of his true freshman season against Miami and not missing an Eagles contest since. As a freshman, he saw a very significant 278 snaps on special teams and defense, making plays for the team as a cornerback and a kickoff return specialist.

In 2013, Jones would start in every game, having a solid sophomore season in the process. His tackle total more than quadrupled, thanks in part to his 12-tackle performance in the AdvoCare V100 bowl on New Year’s Eve. On the side, he also fielded several punt and kickoff returns during the year.

Bryce Jones #17: Fast Facts

• Position: Cornerback
• Hometown: University Heights, Ohio
• High School: Cleveland Heights High School, Cleveland Heights, OH
• Notably, the nickname of his high school was Heights. Now, he plays at THE Heights.
• Measurements: 6-foot-1, 174 lb.
• Class year & age at 2014 opener: Junior, 20
• BC games played: 25

Bryce Jones #17: 2013 Season

• Starting right corner
• Games played: 13; started all
• Bryce Jones was one of only seven Eagles last season to start all 13 games according to official ACC statistics.
• Cumulative statistics: 62 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 INT, 3 fumbles recovered
• Jones tied for the team lead in interceptions and led the team in recovered fumbles
• Appeared on Spring 2014 roster

There is no need to overthink this: Bryce Jones is going to get significant playing time in 2014, starting them all unless reason should arise to the contrary over the course of the year. Should the Eagles continue to make bowl games for the last two years of his eligibility, or at least one, he could potentially join a rare class of players to have played in 50 games for this team.

Yet, performance is more important than statistics, and all of us would rather see Jones play well in the snaps he gets than to get as many as possible and not make the most of them.

Barring injury, there will be many snaps.

Missed any 2014 player or season previews? Click the “114 Days” tag below to catch up on what we’ve shared so far.